Rugged computing module

ABSTRACT

A rugged computing module includes a microcontroller, flash memory, and at least one interface port. The flash memory is operatively coupled to the microcontroller, and at least a portion of the flash memory is used as a substitute for disk drive storage area, thereby eliminating moving parts in the computing module. The interface port is operatively coupled to the microcontroller and includes at least one of an Ethernet port, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port, a serial port, a parallel port, a keyboard/mouse port, and a Super Video Graphics Array (SVGA) port.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to computers and morespecifically relates to a compact, full feature, rugged, and reliablecomputing module having interfaces, memory capacity, and performancethat are cost-optimized for use in a wide variety of industrialapplications.

2. Description of the Related Art

The advances made in computers for personal, industrial, and militaryapplications have been vast. These improvements include new and enhancedparallel, serial, and network interfaces, increased fixed and removablestorage capacity; enhanced video, graphic, and audio processing; andoperating systems that are substantially more powerful. However, themost notable achievements have been in providing greater processingspeed and memory capacity.

Gordon Moore, a co-founder of Intel Corporation, made an observation in1965 that the number of transistors per square inch on integratedcircuits had doubled every year since the integrated circuit wasinvented. Moore predicted that this trend would continue for theforeseeable future. Although the rate observed by Moore has decreasedsince 1965, data density has doubled approximately every 18 months, andthis remains the current definition of Moore's Law.

The primary driving force in the computer industry has been to maximizespeed and memory capacity in any computer solution that satisfies thecustomer's needs, whether that customer is an individual dreaming of theultimate system for lifelike interactive games and multimediaapplications, or a corporate user trying to find a low cost solution forrelatively simple control functions. As a result, the majority ofcomputers sold today incorporate the most advanced features. Althoughthis may well be enticing to the individual consumer who typically buysone system every four to six years, it is inappropriate and costly forthe industrial user who purchases in larger quantities with the hope fora substantially longer useful life.

In addition, for many industrial dedicated applications, small butrugged computers are desirable. In most cases, computer manufacturerssimply package a full-feature computer into a smaller footprint. Withsignificantly lower sales volume, when compared with popular consumercomputers, the price of these low-volume small computers becomeexceedingly high.

Accordingly, there remains a need in the field of computer systems foran alternative computing module tailored to requirements that areessential to industrial applications, such as factory automation, healthcare, patient monitoring, airline counter ticketing, tracking services,and point-of-sale (POS) terminals.

It is another goal of the present invention to provide a computingmodule that incorporates interfaces, memory capacity, and performancethat are cost-optimized for a wide variety of industrial applicationswithout many of the advanced features that are underutilized in suchapplications.

It is yet another goal of the present invention to provide an industrialcomputing module that is compact, lightweight, rugged, reliable, andgenerically applicable to the majority of industrial applications.

It is a further goal of the present invention to provide a computingmodule that is highly integrated to minimize the required number ofperipheral components.

It is still a further goal of the present invention to provide acomputing module that incorporates the minimum number of interfaces thatare most utilized in industrial applications.

It is yet a further goal of the present invention to provide a computingmodule that includes a cost-effective central processing unit thatsatisfies the majority of industrial applications.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The foregoing needs, purposes, and goals are satisfied in accordancewith the present invention, which, in one embodiment, provides a ruggedcomputing module that includes a microcontroller, flash memory, andinterface ports. The flash memory is operatively coupled to themicrocontroller and at least a portion of the flash memory is adaptedfor use as a substitute for hard drive storage area, which substantiallyeliminates moving parts in the computing module.

The interface port is operatively coupled to the microcontroller andincludes at least one of an Ethernet port, a Universal Serial Bus (USB)port, a serial port, a parallel port, a keyboard/mouse port, a SuperVideo Graphics Array (SVGA) port, an Infrared (IR) port, a Bluetoothport, and a wireless port.

A housing substantially encloses the computing module circuitry andpreferably functions as a heat sink. Power supply components arepreferably disposed external to the housing to reduce heat dissipation.The computing module may be adapted for use in point-of-sale (POS),restaurant, workstation, automatic identification, factory automation,health care, patient monitoring, airline counter ticketing, and trackingapplications.

These and other purposes, goals and advantages of the present inventionwill become apparent from the following detailed description ofillustrative embodiments thereof, which is to be read in connection withthe accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the computing module formed inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the computing module formed in accordance withthe present invention.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the computing module formed in accordance withthe present invention.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the computing module formed inaccordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In accordance with the preferred embodiments contemplated as beingwithin the scope of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a top perspectiveview of a computing module 10. The computing module 10 includes anexternal housing 12, which is preferably die cast from zinc andsubstantially restricts airflow to circuitry within the housing 12. Thehousing 12 is preferably used as a heat sink for the computing module10. If the surface area of the housing 12 is expressed in square units,such as X in², and the volume of the housing is expressed in cubicunits, Y in³, then X is preferably greater than Y.

The housing 12 is preferably about 6.3 inches in width, 1.0 inch inheight, and 5.1 inches in depth. The weight of the computing module 10is about 2.15 pounds and the operating temperature is preferably about5° C. to 40° C. with a storage temperature of about 0° C. to 60° C. Twomounting brackets (not shown) are preferably provided on the bottom ofthe housing 12 so that the computing module 10 may be mounted to a wall,ceiling, tabletop, counter, and the like. It is to be understood thatthe physical characteristics of the computing module are not critical,are merely provided as an example, and are not intended to limit thescope of the present invention in any manner.

The computing module 10 preferably includes components that are mountedon a single printed circuit board (PCB) within the external housing 12with no moving mechanical parts, such as a fan or a disk drive. Flashmemory is preferably used as a substitute for hard drive storage area.

The computing module 10 formed in accordance with the present inventionpreferably includes an Intel® compatible x86-based microcontroller,which is Windows® compatible and able to run Linux® based applications.The microcontroller is preferably provided with a clock that satisfies aminimum requirement of an application to reduce heat dissipation andcost. It is anticipated that the computing module 10 would be suitablefor use in a wide variety of industrial applications, such as restaurantkitchen systems, point of sale (POS) systems, work stations, automaticidentification systems, airline counter ticketing, tracking services,factory automation, healthcare and patient monitoring systems, and thelike.

The computing module 10 also preferably provides interface capabilities,such as an Ethernet port, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port, serial(RS-232) ports, a PS/2 keyboard/mouse port, and an SVGA (super videographics array) port. Additional wired and wireless interfacecapabilities, such as infrared and Bluetooth, are contemplated to bewithin the scope of the present invention. The Ethernet port permitsfull access to the Internet, file transfer, and system networkingresources. The USB port enables the computing module 10 to drivemultiple peripheral devices and host a wide variety of applicationsoftware.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the computing module 10 formed in accordancewith the present invention. The computing module 10 includes a frontpanel 14, through which a power light emitting diode (LED) 16 isdisposed. The power LED 16 preferably indicates whether the computingmodule 10 is powered and operational. A reset switch on the printedcircuit board is accessible through an aperture 11 in the housing 12 byusing commonly objects, such as a ballpoint pen.

A rear view of the computing module 10 is shown in FIG. 3. The computingmodule 10 includes a rear panel 18, through which various interfaceconnectors are disposed. The interface connectors preferably include anSVGA port connector 20, a PS/2 keyboard/mouse port connector 22, aserial port connector 24, a USB port connector 26, an Ethernet portconnector 28, and a power adapter connector 30.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a preferred circuit implementation of thecomputing module 10 shown in FIGS. 1-3. The circuitry preferablyincludes an STPC12HEYC microcontroller 32 operating at 133 MHz, which isa 516-pin ball grid array (BGA) package that is commercially availablefrom ST Microelectronics, 1000 East Bell Road, Phoenix, Ariz. 85022. Themicrocontroller 32 is operatively coupled to an STE10/100A Ethernetcontroller 34 and HB626-1 Ethernet magnetics, which are alsocommercially available from ST Microelectronics. The Ethernet controller34 is operatively coupled to the Ethernet port connector 28.

The microcontroller 32 preferably also interfaces with the SVGA port andconnector 20, PS/2 keyboard/mouse port and connector 22, USB port andconnector 26, and the serial port and connector 24, the ports of whichare shown in FIG. 3. The SVGA port preferably supports 1280×1024 pixelswith 4 MB of video ram that supports up to 16 million colors. Themicrocontroller 32 preferably interfaces with the Ethernet controller 34through a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus.

The microcontroller 32 also preferably interfaces to an auxiliary serialport 36, an auxiliary parallel port 38, and an integrated developmentenvironment (IDE) channel port and connector 60. Access to these portsis preferably provided by headers on the printed circuit board.Additional wireless interface ports 37, such as Infrared (IR) andBluetooth Reset may also be included in the computing module. Resetlogic 40, which is operatively coupled to and controlled by themicrocontroller 32, preferably provides a suitable reset signal forvarious portions of the computing module circuitry.

The microcontroller 32 is also operatively coupled to a power supplydistribution and connector assembly 30, which preferably inputs variousdirect current (dc) supply voltages from the power supply connector 30located on the rear panel 18 of the computing module 10 shown in FIG. 3.Voltage converters and regulators are preferably located in a poweradaptor 42, which is coupled to the power supply distribution andconnector assembly 30. The power adapter 42 is preferably locatedexternal to the housing 12 and coupled to the power supply distributionand connector assembly 30 through a power cord 44.

As shown in FIG. 4, the computing module circuitry preferably includessynchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM) 46, which isoperatively coupled to the microcontroller 32. The SDRAM 46 may beimplemented using IS42S16400A-10T/7T 1M×16×4 SDRAM devices, which arecommercially available from Integrated Silicon Solution, Inc. located at2231 Lawson Lane, Santa Clara, Calif. 95054. The computing module 10preferably supports about 32 MB to 128 MB of SDRAM.

Various hardware programmable features are preferably selected bymanipulation of jumpers in a strap options 48 circuit, which isoperatively coupled to the microcontroller 32. The remaining devicesshown in FIG. 4, which are preferably accessed by the microcontroller 32through multiplexor/demultiplexor logic circuitry 50, include a realtime clock 52, a BIOS flash ROM 54, a Disk-on-Chip 56, compact flash 58,and an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) channel port andconnector 60. The logic circuit 50 preferably provides address, data,and control interfaces between the microcontroller 32, peripheraldevices, and memory.

The real time clock 52 is preferably implemented with an M48T86MHdevice, which is commercially available from ST Microelectronics. TheBIOS flash ROM 54 is preferably implemented using AT49F002N70JC devices,which are commercially available from Atmel Corporation located at 2325Orchid Park Way, San Jose, Calif. 95131, or SST39SF020A devices, whichare commercially available from SST located at 1171 Sonora Court,Sunnyvale, Calif. 94686.

The Disk-on-Chip flash memory 56 is preferably implemented with aDisk-on-Chip 2000, which is commercially available from M-Systems, Inc.located at 8371 Central Avenue, Suite A, Newark, Calif. 94560. TheDisk-on-Chip 56 provides a solid-state alternative to hard drive storageareas to increase reliability by eliminating moving parts in thecomputing module 10. The Disk-on-Chip 56 and the compact flash 58provide a solid-state storage area of about 16 MB to more than 4 GB andare preferably selected to satisfy a minimum requirement of the intendedapplication. However, since it is contemplated that the density ofmemory, such as that provided by flash memory, will increasedramatically in the future in accordance with technological advances,all memory capacities set forth herein are merely intended as an examplewithout limiting the scope of the present invention in any manner.

The real time clock 52, BIOS flash ROM 54, and Disk-on-Chip 56 arepreferably accessed through an industry standard architecture (ISA) buscoupled to the microcontroller 32 through the logic circuit 50. Thecompact flash 58 is preferably implemented by a THNCFxxx MBA compactflash card, which is commercially available from Toshiba AmericaElectronic Components, Inc. located at 2035 Lincoln Highway, Suite 3000,Edison, N.J. 08817. Both the compact flash 58 and IDE channel port andconnector 60 are preferably coupled by an integrated developmentenvironment (IDE) bus to the microcontroller 32 through the logiccircuit 50. The IDE channel port and connector 60 preferably provide themicrocontroller 32 with access to an external hard drive storage areathrough a header or connector on the printed circuit board.

The SVGA port connector is preferably implemented with a DB 15 femaleconnector. The PS/2 keyboard/mouse port connector is preferably amini-DIN6 female connector. The serial port connector is preferably aDB9 male connector. The USB port connector is preferably a standard USBtype B connector. The Ethernet port is preferably an RJ45 8-pin femaleconnector, and the power supply connector is preferably a shielded snaplock mini-DIN with EMIRFI suppression female connector.

Therefore, a rugged computing module formed in accordance with thepresent invention is tailored to requirements that are essential toindustrial applications, such as factory automation, health care,patient monitoring, and airline counter ticketing. The computing moduleincorporates interfaces, memory capacity, and performance that arecost-optimized for a wide variety of industrial applications withoutmany of the advanced features that are underutilized in suchapplications.

Although illustrative embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is tobe understood that the invention is not limited to those preciseembodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may beprovided therein by one skilled in the art without departing from thescope or spirit of the invention.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/662,120, filed Sep. 12, 2003, which is incorporated hereinby reference.

1. A rugged computing module comprising: a microcontroller; flashmemory, the flash memory being operatively coupled to themicrocontroller, at least a portion of the flash memory being adaptedfor use as a substitute for disk drive storage area, thereby eliminatingmoving parts in the computing module; and at least one interface port,the at least one interface port being operatively coupled to themicrocontroller, the at least one interface port including at least oneof an Ethernet port, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port, a serial port, aparallel port, a keyboard/mouse port, a Super Video Graphics Array(SVGA) port, an Infrared (IR) port, a Bluetooth port, and a wirelessport.
 2. A rugged computing module as defined by claim 1, furthercomprising dynamic random access memory (RAM), the dynamic RAM beingoperatively coupled to the microcontroller, the dynamic RAM being usedas volatile storage area for data and variables.
 3. A rugged computingmodule as defined by claim 1, further comprising an IntegratedDevelopment Environment (IDE) channel port, the IDE channel port beingoperatively coupled to the microcontroller, the IDE channel port beingadapted for providing an interface between the computing module and diskdrive storage area external to the computing module.
 4. A ruggedcomputing module as defined by claim 1, further comprising a housing,the housing substantially enclosing the computing module.
 5. A ruggedcomputing module as defined by claim 4, further comprising a powersupply, the power supply being disposed external to the housing.
 6. Arugged computing module as defined by claim 4, wherein the housingsubstantially restricts airflow to the computing module.
 7. A ruggedcomputing module as defined by claim 4, wherein the housing is adaptedto be used as a heat sink for the computing module.
 8. A ruggedcomputing module as defined by claim 4, wherein the housing furthercomprises a surface area and a volume, the surface area being expressedas X units² and the volume being expressed Y units³, X being greaterthan Y.
 9. A rugged computing module as defined by claim 1, furthercomprising at least one bracket, the at least one bracket being adaptedfor mounting the computing module.
 10. A rugged computing module asdefined by claim 1, further comprising a real time clock circuit, thereal time clock circuit being operatively coupled to themicrocontroller, the real time clock circuit adapted to provide a timeof day.
 11. A rugged computing module as defined by claim 1, wherein themicrocontroller is operatively coupled to a clock signal, the clocksignal having a frequency that determines a speed at which themicrocontroller operates, the frequency of the clock signal beingadapted to satisfy a minimum requirement of an application.
 12. A ruggedcomputing module as defined by claim 1, wherein a quantity of flashmemory is selected to satisfy a minimum requirement of an application.13. A rugged computing module as defined by claim 1, wherein thecomputing module is adapted for use in at least one of a point-of-sale(POS) application, restaurant application, a workstation application,automatic identification application, factory automation application,health care application, patient monitoring application, airline counterticketing application, and tracking application.
 14. A rugged computingmodule as defined by claim 1, wherein the computing module is adaptedfor use in industrial applications.
 15. A rugged computing modulecomprising: a microcontroller, the microcontroller being operativelycoupled to a clock signal, the clock signal having a frequency thatdetermines a speed at which the microcontroller operates, the frequencyof the clock signal being adapted to satisfy a minimum requirement of anapplication; flash memory, the flash memory being operatively coupled tothe microcontroller, at least a portion of the flash memory beingadapted for use as a substitute for disk drive storage area, therebyeliminating moving parts in the computing module, a quantity of theflash memory being selected to satisfy a minimum requirement of anapplication; at least one interface port, the at least one interfaceport being operatively coupled to the microcontroller, the at least oneinterface port including at least one of an Ethernet port, a UniversalSerial Bus (USB) port, a serial port, a parallel port, a keyboard/mouseport, a Super Video Graphics Array (SVGA) port, an Infrared (IR) port, aBluetooth port, and a wireless port; and a housing, the housingsubstantially enclosing the computing module, the housing being adaptedto provide a heat sink for the computing module.
 16. A rugged computingmodule as defined by claim 4, wherein the housing includes a rugged diecast case.
 17. A rugged computing module as defined by claim 16, whereinthe rugged die cast case is manufactured from zinc.
 18. A ruggedcomputing module as defined by claim 15, wherein the housing includes arugged die cast case.
 19. A rugged computing module as defined by claim18, wherein the rugged die cast case is manufactured from zinc.